NHTSA vehicle safety data
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 110 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan owner complaints
Owners have filed 110 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, describing incidents dated December 1, 2009 to December 10, 2025.
Most-cited components
- Engine 54 complaints
- Electrical System 31 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 19 complaints
- Steering 13 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
- Power Train 6 complaints
Of the 110 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 110 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11758583 · Filed
Right seat heater has burned through the synthetic leather and burned my pants. No fuse went off, no warning issued by vehicle nor heater stopped itself.
ODI #11680243 · Filed
We own a 2010 VW Tiguan and it has many problems, but the biggest one is that the Steering Wheel just randomly will turn off and loose all power steering, I believe these models use electric power steering (EPS) system, which don't use like a traditional power steering hydraulic pump but uses…
ODI #11616682 · Filed
Vehicle sometimes displays red check engine light on dash with alarm sounding. Check engine light goes away after the vehicle is stopped briefly and restarted. Oil level is normal. Mechanic found no diagnostic codes when scanned with OBD scanner. Mechanic changed oil pressure sensor, replaced oil…
Owner-reported
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan mileage at failure
91 of the 110 complaints on file for the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 85,000 miles | Middle half 65,000–100,000 miles | Based on 45 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA18-003: Air Bag Clockspring Failure
Open since April 18, 2018
- Preliminary Evaluation PE13-036: Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
Closed February 28, 2014
Bubbles in Fuel may Result in Engine Stall
NHTSA #14V441000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported July 21, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 151,389 vehicles
Repair completion: 89.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Volkswagen campaign 24AV/2W · Owners notified August 19, 2014 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2014 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Safety consequence
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
NHTSA #13V569000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice
Reported November 22, 2013 · Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 62,155 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Volkswagen campaign 97Z9/2V · Owners notified January 3, 2014 · Vehicles built July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 through June 2011. Due to a problem with the fuse for the exterior lights, the holder for the fuse that controls the vehicle's exterior lights circuit may melt.
Safety consequence
If the holder melts, there may be a partial loss of exterior lighting. Reduced vehicle illumination diminishes the vehicle's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's recall number is 97Z9/2V.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years
Check your 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Tiguan at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Volkswagen VIN